BARCELONA are targeting Manchester United’s £25million flop Memphis Depay to replace Juventus-bound Luis Suarez.
New Barca boss Ronald Koeman has started to rebuild the side after the shattering 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich.
Memphis Depay is being lined up to replace Luis Suarez at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barca striker Luis Suarez has agreed personal terms with JuventusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Suarez, who has been made to train alone, is being pushed towards the exit door at the Nou Camp.
The Uruguayan striker, 33, has agreed personal terms with the Serie A champions.
So Koeman is moving quickly to bring his Dutch compatriot Depay to the club.
The Holland striker was in fantastic form last season as he scored 15 goals in just 26 games to drive French side Lyon to within an ace of the Champions League final.
He also scored a hat-trick in the Ligue One opener last week.
Depay was sold by United in 2017 after struggling to impress in his two-year spell.
But he played a key role as Lyon knocked United’s Manchester rivals City out of the Champions League quarter-final.
Barca quickly need a replacement for 33-year-old Uruguay striker Suarez.
And they think they can get Depay for as little as £17m, claims Spain’s Deportivo Mundo, as he has only one year left on his deal in France.
Suarez is set to move on this month after six years at the Nou Camp.
He joined the Catalans in a £75million deal from Liverpool in 2014.
The South American was at the centre of the Lionel Messi saga.
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Messi is best pals with the Uruguayan and was upset that he was being pushed out of the club by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, it has been claimed.
The Argentine is now staying put.
A huge rebuilding job is needed at Barca under Koeman.
The careers of Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets are also coming towards the end as an era finishes in Catalonia.
Messi will surely leave when his contract runs out in a year.
Koeman hopes Depay can forge a new partnership with French £108m buy Antoine Griezmann.
Discussing a move this month, Depay said: “I do not see the future, I do not know if I will do the full season here. I have been here for four years, I became captain.
“After you have to look at your career, there is no Champions League. At the moment I don’t know.”
Messi has confirmed that he will stay at Barcelona
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
